If you want to make New Orleans Saints fans upset, all you have to do is praise Derek Carr. Considering that he’s enemy No. 2 of the fan base, trailing only Mickey Loomis, any positive words about Carr are typically met with some blowback. Brandin Cooks was the latest person to prompt that, after sharing some complimentary comments about the veteran QB on Monday.
Cooks recently signed a two-year deal with the Saints, returning to the team that drafted him back in 2014, and he had a press conference on Monday. During the press conference, he shared his thoughts on his new quarterback. Revealing that the two have already spoken, Cooks expressed that Carr is a tough cat, good leader, and overall great human being that can throw any ball.
Brandin Cooks (on Derek Carr): "He can throw any ball. Tough cat and a great leader. You talk about a guy who does so much for his team and community...Just a great human being."
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) March 24, 2025
Brandin Cooks praises Derek Carr after joining the Saints
These aren’t really controversial statements for a receiver joining a new team but when a fan base is fed up with a player, anything can be upsetting. That was on full display as fans quickly reacted to these words from Cooks. Some joked the veteran receiver is just saying whatever it takes to get his targets and stay on the team, and others argued that the comments just aren’t true.
Regardless of how fans feel, Cooks’ only choice was to speak highly of Carr; unless an unexpected move happens, Carr will be QB1 for New Orleans once the season starts. The Carr-hating portion of Saints fans have made it clear they don’t care about that, though, jokingly going after anyone that stands by the veteran QB. It happened to Kellen Moore, and Carr’s other teammates that have defended him.
Carr, who’s well aware of how a lot of fans feel about him, knows there’s only one way to fix their relationship: win games. If Carr can help the Saints put together a successful season, everything will be water under the bridge.